The Cruelty of Dog Meat Markets
A compelling case for replacing Southeast Asia’s dog meat trade with compassion and reform.
Heike Claudia Petzer/The Cancelled Traveller
Apr 29, 2025 - 6:11 PM
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Few issues cut as deeply across lines of culture, tradition, and morality as the dog meat trade in Southeast Asia. While some defend it under the heritage banner, the reality is far darker.
In this exclusive interview, I speak with activist Bob Vin Hung who shares first-hand accounts from his travels across Cambodia, Laos, and beyond - exposing an industry built on violence, fear, and environmental risk. But this isn’t just a story about animals. It’s about what happens when compassion vanishes and both human and animal life become expendable.
In my conversation with him, Bob reveals the shocking realities he witnessed, the struggles he’s faced in his advocacy, and the urgent need for change.
People often defend the dog meat trade as a cultural tradition. What’s your view on that?
I think that’s one of the biggest misunderstandings. People assume it’s a deep-rooted, ancient practice, but that’s untrue. Buddhist and Hindu values shaped countries like Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia. These belief systems respect animals and teach kindness.
Dog meat wasn’t part of daily life for most people. It only became more common over time, especially with Chinese influence. In some circles, people started believing it brought luck or boosted health. But calling this an old cultural tradition just isn’t accurate. What we see now is a brutal habit layered on top of societies that once honored life more deeply.
What did you see when you travelled through these places?
I wish I could unsee some of it. The cruelty is not hidden; it’s right in front of you.
I saw dogs tied up in sacks, shoved into tiny metal cages, stacked like crates. Many of them were injured, bones broken, and soaked in their own urine.
And then there are the markets. You’ll see cooked dogs laid out like roast meat, and just a few feet away, live ones watching, waiting for their turn. The sounds are even more upsetting, including whimpering, crying, and panicked barking. It stays with you.
What really hit me was how numb the people working there seemed. Years of doing this had hollowed them out; they lack empathy and emotion.
Where do all these dogs come from? Are they bred for slaughtering?
No. Almost none of them are bred. Most are stolen pets or strays taken off the streets. There are actual criminal networks that violently collect them. They use wire snares, heavy metal tongs, and brutal traps.
Imagine this: your own dog, who loves and trusts you, is grabbed off the street with a metal hook and shoved into a cage. No food, no water, sometimes stacked on the back of a motorbike for hours. That’s what’s happening every single day.
What about the health risks?
No, it’s much bigger than that. It’s a serious public health disaster waiting to happen. There are no hygiene protocols. No inspections. Dogs are sick, stressed, and bleeding, and they’re handled in disgusting conditions. Rabies thrives here. Other diseases can jump from animals to humans. The World Health Organization has warned about this for years, but the dog meat markets remain open.
Have you ever received any backlash for trying to expose the industry?
Yes. It wasn’t easy. Even though I was respectful, people got aggressive. I was told to “mind my business” more times than I can count. Once, someone pulled a knife on me just for having a camera. Another time, the police were called.
However, the most significant backlash came after I posted videos online. To my utter surprise, people weren’t upset about the cruelty; they were upset that I showed it. They said I was shaming their country. And that broke my heart. The animals suffering there want mercy.
You’ve also spoken about the environmental impact. What did you see when you trekked through Asia?
Devastation. I rode my motorbike through jungles that should have been full of life. Birds, monkeys, elephants. But I saw almost nothing. The forests were quiet, too quiet.
My grandparents told stories about how alive these places used to be. Now they feel hollow. Deforestation, animal trafficking, and pollution are all connected to the same desperate thinking: “If I can make money off it, I will not care about the cost.” The same attitude that allows dogs to be mistreated, enables the planet to be stripped bare.
Do you think things are changing?
There is some hope. Brave people are on the ground rescuing dogs, shutting down slaughterhouses, and pushing for bans. Groups like Four Paws, Soi Dog Foundation, and Dog Meat-Free Indonesia are doing fantastic work.
Young people, especially, are starting to speak out. Social media is helping.
Some towns have even started banning the dog meat trade altogether.
But the resistance is real. Cultural pride is often used as a shield to protect cruel practices. That’s why global awareness is so important.
Some say we shouldn’t interfere with other countries’ traditions. What would you say to that?
I hear that a lot. But honestly? Respecting a culture doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to suffering. Genuine respect means wanting the best for everyone.
Animal cruelty isn’t a cultural value. It’s a moral issue. If a tradition is built on pain, it’s time to question it and hopefully change it.
What would you say to readers who feel powerless?
Don’t underestimate your voice. Speak up. Share the truth. Support organizations doing the work. Push for change. Silence helps the abusers. Compassion allows the victims. Every little action chips away at this industry.
This fight isn’t just about animals. It’s about what kind of world we want to live in.
Cages, blood, and the forests without wild animals are all warning signs. We’re losing something sacred. And unless we act, that loss will be permanent.
